# comments2 - Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/comments2/ - Published: 2026-09-03T14:53:59+02:00 - Author: dearSA _Advert_ _Advert – scroll down_ Displaying the **15** latest comments. [ view more ...](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/comments3/) | Submitted | first-name | support | concern | top-concern | message | | 2026-10-30 17:07:31 +02:00 | Elizabeth | No I do not | All of the above | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | We already have to pay so many licenses and taxes. Now this ..... | | 2026-10-29 20:17:01 +02:00 | Bendré | No I do not | All of the above | Warrantless Home Entry (Section 42) | We dont need more laws. We dont even have more serious laws enforced. Our country is falling apart, and this is what government focuses on? | | 2026-10-29 09:49:49 +02:00 | Amy | No I do not | All of the above | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | I object to these clauses. They are outlandishly severe in their penalization of urban homesteaders, permaculturists, and residents attempting to mitigate food inflation through backyard egg and protein production. Mandating formal municipal building plan submissions and professional architectural approvals for basic wooden chicken coops, rabbit runs, and pigeon lofts is completely disproportionate. This will place incredible strain on already struggling house hold that shift to keeping animals to try and save funds to compensate for other inflating prices. | | 2026-10-28 18:51:46 +02:00 | Claire | No I do not | Warrantless Home Entry (Section 42) | | Although I agree that illegal breeding and puppy mills must be stopped, this by-law will negatively affect all pet owners and NPO's. The wording in this by-law is quite vague and honestly concerning. It will most likely lead to the collapse of volunteer foster care which will lead to overcrowding of animal shelters. Turning basic pet ownership into a municipal licensing scheme places an ongoing financial burden on households already struggling with municipal tariff increases and living costs. Requiring administrative paperwork and annual charges for domestic pets creates an unnecessary bureaucracy that City Law Enforcement lacks the capacity to administer fairly, ultimately punishing law-abiding pet lovers while neglecting neglected animals. | | 2026-10-27 15:26:38 +02:00 | Lucielle | Not fully | All of the above | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | Religious animal sacrifice is not part of Christian practice. Not supported at all - has no power. Strongly apposed to mandatory sterilization unless the safety or health of the animal is issue. Agreed that there needs to be more involvement with the care and control of residential pets in general. But not for mere numbers or to make money but for the safety and wellbeing of animals, owners and neighbors! Please ADD the noise & vibration from business environments and long term impact on our animals. I have asked law enforcement where this appears ... there is nothing! | | 2026-10-27 10:55:58 +02:00 | Eberhardt | Not fully | Warrantless Home Entry (Section 42) | | | | 2026-10-27 10:04:13 +02:00 | Rick | Not fully | Warrantless Home Entry (Section 42) | | I support working animal protections, anti-cruelty clauses, and microchipping, but demand the removal of individual pet licensing fees, arbitrary pet quotas, neighbour vetoes, and warrantless home searches. | | 2026-10-27 05:55:32 +02:00 | Francois | No I do not | All of the above | Warrantless Home Entry (Section 42) | | | 2026-10-26 12:52:20 +02:00 | Gerald | Not fully | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | | | | 2026-10-26 09:36:49 +02:00 | Petra | No I do not | All of the above | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | While the updated welfare protections for working animals and the ban on glue traps are commendable, I strongly object to the draft by-law in its current form due to severe municipal overreach into private households. I urge the City to revise or remove the following highly problematic provisions: • Rejection of Universal Pet Permit Fees: Requiring mandatory municipal permits and fees for standard domestic pets places an unfair, punitive financial burden on law-abiding citizens. It penalizes responsible pet ownership and stretches household budgets without offering any tangible welfare benefit to the animals.• Opposition to Arbitrary Animal Caps: Setting rigid, property-based limits on the number of pets a household can keep fails to account for individual care capabilities, property layouts, or the standard of animal welfare provided. Decisions should be based on proven neglect or public nuisance, not arbitrary quotas.• Denial of Warrantless Home Intrusions: Any clause granting municipal law enforcement officers the power to enter private property without a judicial warrant is a direct violation of constitutional privacy rights. Law enforcement entry must strictly adhere to due legal process, requiring a warrant signed by a magistrate, except in immediately life-threatening animal emergencies.• Opposition to Backyard Farming Restrictions: Restricting small-scale backyard food and livestock production harms food security, limits sustainable self-sufficiency, and disproportionately impacts low-income residents who rely on these practices for nutrition and livelihoods.This by-law excessively penalizes ordinary citizens rather than targeting illicit breeders or actual animal cruelty. I request that these intrusive controls be removed before any legislation is finalised. | | 2026-10-26 08:48:26 +02:00 | Tim | No I do not | Warrantless Home Entry (Section 42) | | It is a total joke that pet inspectors be given warrantless access to property. The DA sure likes overreaching into people's homes | | 2026-10-26 08:17:33 +02:00 | kate | Yes I do | No concern, I Support the paper | | But only if it is applied in the 'informal settlements' FIRST. That's where it is needed most. Deal with that cruelty, backyard breeding, disease-riddled, dog fighting horror show before you come after rate-payers. | | 2026-10-23 13:36:24 +02:00 | Cronin | No I do not | All of the above | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | | | 2026-10-23 11:50:52 +02:00 | Keira | No I do not | Restrictions on Backyard Food Production | | I support stronger animal welfare protections, including measures to prevent cruelty, protect working animals, and improve responsible pet ownership. However, I have concerns about mandatory pet permits and fees, strict limits on the number of animals per property, restrictions on backyard food production, and municipal powers to enter homes without a warrant. These measures could place unnecessary burdens on residents and infringe on privacy. I therefore object to the draft By-law in its current form, while supporting its animal welfare objectives. I believe the focus should be on preventing cruelty and neglect, with enforcement that is fair, proportionate, and respectful of residents’ rights. | | 2026-10-22 19:37:19 +02:00 | Charles | No I do not | Other | | | [🟢 What Supporters Say (Proponents & Welfare Advocates)](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/comments2/#1770892117175-dfc38055-c8382881-c40829ea-cbef) - _Pet Permits & Fees_ A municipal permit database ensures all companion animals are registered, vaccinated against rabies, and traceable to accountable owners. - _Pet Quotas & Limits_ Property density limits (e.g., 2 dogs in a flat, 3 in a house) prevent pet hoarding, overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, and noise nuisances in dense suburbs. - _Mandatory Sterilisation_ Mandatory sterilisation of dogs and cats over 6 months stops mass shelter euthanasia, combats uncontrolled backyard breeding, and prevents roaming strays. - _Working Animals & Cruelty_ Enshrining heat limits (no work over 30°C), load caps, mandatory rest, and bans on chaining guard dogs gives inspectors enforceable tools to end systemic abuse. - _Warrantless Searches_ Swift, warrantless access is vital when an animal is trapped in a hot vehicle, facing severe cruelty, or when illegal dog-fighting operations are underway. - _Poultry, Birds & Urban Farming_ Setting strict limits on backyard livestock and poultry prevents odour, flies, rat infestations, and noise disturbances like crowing roosters in dense suburbs. - _Cultural / Religious Slaughter_ Advance notice (14 days) and neighbour notifications ensure health inspectors can oversee humane handling and hygienic waste disposal. [🔴 What Opponents Say (Pet Owners, Rescuers & Ratepayers)](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/comments2/#1770892117205-3c7c32e1-ce3d2881-c40829ea-cbef) - _Pet Permits & Fees Requiring a paid permit for every single pet is a backdoor municipal revenue grab that penalises responsible pet owners and creates massive bureaucratic waste. - _Pet Quotas & Limits_ Arbitrary quotas ignore an owner’s financial ability, care standards, and property layout. It criminalises good owners and cripples temporary animal foster parents and rescue networks. - _Mandatory Sterilisation_ Without heavily subsidised veterinary infrastructure, mandatory sterilisation acts as an unaffordable barrier that unfairly targets working-class pet owners. - _Working Animals & Cruelty_ High regulatory fees, cart registration, and strict licensing could destroy the livelihoods of informal scrap-metal collectors and cart-horse operators without providing alternative transport. - _Warrantless Searches_ Section 42 strips away Section 14 constitutional privacy protections by letting municipal law enforcement enter and search private homes without judicial oversight. - _Poultry, Birds & Urban Farming_ Banning roosters, capping hens at five, and demanding formal building plans for rabbit hutches and aviaries undermines urban food security and self-sustainability. - _Cultural / Religious Slaughter_ Subjecting traditional cultural practices and religious ceremonies to municipal approval and neighbour notifications infringes on religious and cultural freedoms. [ have your say](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/)